Cincinnati ranks among 10 most emerging downtowns

More than 13,000 people live downtown

Forbes Magazine rated Cincinnati on the list of top 10 most emerging downtowns.

After years of debate, planning and building, the city is once again attracting people to live, eat, work, shop and play downtown.

Erin Phillips lives at The Banks. “I was born and raised in Cincinnati. I've definitely seen a huge change downtown," she said.

Phillips said she wasn’t at all surprised to hear that the Queen City was recognized as one of the nation’s most up-and-coming downtown areas. She chose to move back to Cincinnati after graduating from college and settled downtown.

“Over the past couple years, there's been so much growth down here. A lot of young professionals are moving down here," Phillips said.

Downtown residents said the big nightlife helped them make the move. Bars were crowded with patrons listening to live music even on a Tuesday.

Downtown even draws residents who live in Northern Kentucky.

Others are coming to Cincinnati from much farther away.

“I moved here two years ago from Portland, Ore. I've noticed a lot of things started happening over on Main Street and especially here on Vine Street. There are lots of restaurants now," Over-the-Rhine resident Dyon Martin said.

Downtown Cincinnati, Inc. said downtown living rose by 12 percent in 2011.

The new Horseshoe Casino has also helped draw crowds downtown.

Forbes chose its list based on overall investment in downtown areas. The magazine estimates that $1.3 billion has been invested in downtown Cincinnati.

More than 13,000 people now live downtown.

Forbes also noted that when The Banks apartments opened, they boasted a 98 percent occupancy rate.

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